J. Herbert Nelson sends letter to president
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, right, and Valerie Young, left, with Synod of the Sun, listen as families share their stories at the Mexico border in December 2018. —(Photo by Rick Jones)
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is urging President Joe Biden to act swiftly to reunite migrant families that have been separated at the U.S. border in recent years. In a letter to the new president this week, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, applauds Biden’s efforts to reverse the previous administration’s policies toward immigrants coming into the U.S.
“In 2018, the church’s General Assembly passed a policy that called out the shameful practice of zero tolerance that left countless families torn apart. Separating families to manage, control and deter migration is sinful and merciless,” Nelson writes. “As families arrived at our border needing humanitarian aid and compassion, our government chose to violently tear families apart. It is reassuring to know that this policy and the practices utilized to enforce the policy are no longer tools that immigration enforcement agencies may use.”
Nelson urges the new administration not to stop there.
“Knowing that our government agents caused the separation of families is unacceptable. I urge you to provide direct guidance and assistance in the work of reuniting families. Countless organizations along the U.S.-Mexico border have been working diligently to try to reunite families,” the letter states. “It is critical that government officials reveal the true number of children and parents separated and work alongside organizations to bring them back together. I urge you, along with the cacophony of other voices from other organizations, that you right this wrong. As you have said, this country needs healing. In order to heal, we must address the wound.”
Nelson concludes the letter by saying it is time that the U.S. takes responsibility for the tragedy that it has caused and be “honest about the wrongs we committed” against families.
Read the entire letter below.
Mr. President,
There is much to celebrate today. I want to thank you for rescinding the “zero tolerance” policy, one of the most tragic and cruel immigration enforcement policies this country has implemented in recent years. Much of the country was appalled and outraged when this policy was introduced in late 2017 and implemented across the southern U.S. border in 2018. I know you are aware of the public outcry.
As the top ecclesiastical officer of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a national church with approximately 1.3 million members, I applaud your decision. In 2018, the church’s General Assembly passed a policy that called out the shameful practice of zero tolerance that left countless families torn apart. Separating families to manage, control and deter migration is sinful and merciless. As families arrived at our border needing humanitarian aid and compassion, our government chose to violently tear families apart. It is reassuring to know that this policy and the practices utilized to enforce the policy are no longer tools that immigration enforcement agencies may use.
However, I urge your administration take a step further. We know families remain separated from this policy. We know families continue to be separated outside of this policy. Knowing that our government agents caused the separation of families is unacceptable. I urge you to provide direct guidance and assistance in the work of reuniting families. Countless organizations along the U.S.-Mexico border have been working diligently to try to reunite families. It is critical that government officials reveal the true number of children and parents separated and work alongside organizations to bring them back together. I urge you, along with the cacophony of other voices from other organizations, that you right this wrong. As you have said, this country needs healing. In order to heal, we must address the wound.
Asylum law was established in the United States to provide a pathway to protection and security for those in danger. It is not a loophole in our immigration system. It is a sign of compassion and care. It is time that we take responsibility for the tragedy we have caused. It is time for this country to lament the pain and suffering we inflicted on migrant bodies. It is time for this country to be honest about the wrongs we committed against migrant families. It is time to heal the wounds and work to bring about change.
You have already taken significant first steps, and I thank you. I now urge you to dedicate robust resources to reuniting families and make critical decisions to strengthen our asylum laws and system. Let us no longer be in the business of division, but in the work of restoration and healing. As Jesus tells his disciples, “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy” (Luke 18:16, The Message). These children carry God’s image as we all carry God’s image. May we begin to repair the ability to provide protection, welcome and compassion.
In the Faith that we share,
Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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